Universal Movie Studios in Hollywood

How Universal Studios Started

Basics

What’s the difference between Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal City Walk? The former is the theme park that you’ll find at the front of the property; the latter is the entertainment complex and shopping plaza that opens up to the back of the property. Universal City Walk is where you’ll find places to eat and drink, a movie theater, and the legendary Studio Store. What’s the difference between Universal Studios Hollywood and Islands of Adventure in Orlando? Universal Studios Hollywood is the original, first-generation park that opened in the late ‘90s. Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando is the newer, second-generation park that opened in 1999. What are the hours at Universal Studios Hollywood? The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It closes earlier in the winter and springs and extends its hours during the summer. Does the studio ever close? A few times every year, the park will close for a day or two for company-wide events like company meetings and the annual shareholders meeting; it also closes for a week at the end of the year for its annual shutdown. Otherwise, the park stays open 364 days a year.

What to know before you go

- First and foremost, check the weather forecast before you plan your day. It gets very hot in the summer months, and it’s not uncommon for the park to close if there’s a heat advisory in effect.

- If you’re looking to snap the best photos, plan to visit the park on a weekday. During the summer, weekends can get very crowded, and you’ll have a much better experience if you go during the week.

- While the rides are fun, the main attraction of the park is the studio tour. Be sure to plan enough time to visit the special effects show, walk through the sound stages, and check out the backlot.

- You don’t have to do it all in one day. If you want to come back another day, you’ll need a two-day ticket.

- There are restaurants and shops at both the Hollywood and Orlando parks. If you need to rest your feet, you can always find a place to sit down and eat.

- There are plenty of photo ops throughout the park. Bring your camera and be sure to stay on the path you don’t want to get in the way of the people walking around the park.

First-time visitor tips

If you’re visiting Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time, we recommend starting your day with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Universal Studios lot. This is a great way to ease into the day and get a glimpse of the magic behind the movies before you head over to the theme park at the end of the tour. If you’re looking to get the most out of your day, we recommend starting at the back of the park with the studio tour before heading over to the theme park.

Universal Studios walkthrough

- Start your day at the Universal Studios backlot and take a self-guided tour through the history of filmmaking. You’ll have the opportunity to walk through the King Kong attraction, tour the streets of New York, and stroll through the Bates Motel.

- Next, head over to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and start your day with the Studio Tour. This behind-the-scenes tour takes you through the sound stages, the backlot, and the streets of New York. Be sure to check the calendar to see if you can catch a special tour during your visit.

- After the studio tour, it’s time to explore the rest of the theme park. Be sure to check the daily show schedule and catch the studio’s famous water show, the Blue Man Group Performance, or the Cinematic parade.

- Next, be sure to visit the special effects show, the Simpsons Ride, and the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. - End your day at the theme park with a meal at one of the park’s restaurants. - If you still have energy left over, you can easily walk between the theme park and CityWalk.

Final words

Universal Studios Hollywood is a great place for families looking to get a taste of the original studio experience, but without having to fly across the world or fork over an arm and a leg for a day ticket. For families visiting the Los Angeles area, or for those looking to add a little Hollywood magic to their trip, the park is an excellent choice.